Luton Town FC vs Carlisle United (14th Feb 2015)

Town earn three points at home against Carlisle

The Town made it 10 games unbeaten in League 2 to move within one point of the automatic promotion places with a hard-fought win over Carlisle at Kenilworth Road.

Mark Cullen, the Hatters’ two goal-hero against York in midweek, scored the all-important winner – firing home a left-foot finish from Matthew Robinson’s fine pass nine minutes before half-time.

But for the second match running the Town had a man sent-off when defender Luke Wilkinson was shown a straight red card after the hour.

But the Hatters deservedly held on to record a 10th home win in their last 13 in league action to move into fourth place and a point behind third-placed Wycombe Wanderers with a game in hand.

With Stephen McNulty serving a four-match ban, Jonathan Smith took on the role of captain for the afternoon. The Hatters lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, and started with four changes from Tuesday night’s game against York. Luke Wilkinson overcame a groin strain to partner with Fraser Franks in defence with Alex Lacey on the bench.

With the game underway, early pressure from Smith was quickly turned around by the opposition. Carlisle then won an early throw-in from Danny Granger which was cleared by the Town defence. Play changed quickly direction and with Cullen dummying for Jayden Stockley, Michael Harriman tried a cross to Nathan Oduwa, whose attempt was taken simply by the visiting keeper.

The Town’s strikers had a few attempts in the first-half including an amazing charge by Oduwa, who selflessly crossed the ball in front of the goal. But with Cullen expecting him to shoot, the chance unfortunately went to waste. But the Town looked comfortable throughout the half, and were proving a handful for the Carlisle defence.

Carlisle had their own chances in the first half including a free-kick from Grainger that was hit high over the bar and into the Kenilworth Road end. Dempsey also tried his chances with a shot that warmed Mark Tyler’s gloves.

Then, in the 36th minute, the deadlock was finally broken. Matthew Robinson sent the ball through to the unmarked Cullen and the striker didn’t hesitate to fire home a left-foot shot into the back of the net. The keeper was left standing as the shot flew past him. 1-0 Luton.

The last chance of the first-half went to Oduwa making a winding solo run to get past the Carlisle defence, eventually coming to nothing when his cross to the waiting strikers was blocked.

Half-time saw plenty of its own excitement for this Valentine’s Day fixture as Hatters Chief Executive Gary Sweet arrived on the pitch to announce the arrival of Cameron McGeehan who has rejoined the Town on loan until the end of the season. McGeehan was met with rapturous applause by the Kenilworth Road faithful as he took he turn on the pitch, thanking the crowd for their reception.

The second half began with the Town 1-0 to the good and it wasn’t long before another chance came their way. Cullen, making a mischief of himself inside the box, rolled a shot across into the box but the waiting Oduwa couldn’t quite get there. Three minutes later Cullen had yet another chance at goal, largely thanks to a Carlisle defensive error.

On 59 minutes another chance for Luton went wanting as a Cullen cross flashed across the face of goal but Stockley couldn’t quite get a foot to it. Moments later Smith went on a run down the left setting up Cullen who crossed into the box, but again Stockley couldn’t quite connect.

Then, in what could have been a turning point in the game, the ref then pulled out his red card for Wilkinson who brought down Sweeney on the edge of the Luton area. The defender will miss the next two games and made it two red cards in two games for Hatters.

But with the Town down to 10 men, the team galvanised themselves and kept the pressure on, retaining good periods of possession. On 73 minutes, Andy Drury made a break and took a swing at the ball, sending it flying towards the top right corner, but with the crowd at their feet the ball ricocheted back off the bar. The rebound fell to Cullen but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Carlisle had their second half chances with attempts by Ryan Amoo, Charlie Wyke, Grainger, Brad Potts and Sweeney but Town’s defence held firm.

With 10 to go, referee James Linington showed Jayden Stockley a yellow card for a foul on Troy Archibald-Henville, but despite being a man down from Wilkinson’s sending off, the Town rarely looked too troubled by the visitors.

With ninety minutes gone, there were four minutes of added time. The Town wound down the game sensibly, keeping the ball and keeping it simple. And that was that, another three points in the bag.

TOWN: Tyler; Franks, Smith, Drury, Griffiths, Cullen (sub Howells 83), Harriman, Robinson (sub Ruddock 76), Stockley (Yellow), Wilkinson (Red), Oduwa (sub Lacey 67).

Subs not used: Justham, Whalley, Guttridge, Hall.

Attendance 8,502, Away 276.

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/luton-town-1-0-carlisle-united-in-pictures-2271196.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXQfnpwlgCE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AZoZIj3TKM&list=UUQoDXQ4Z2Ie3fTPrpjfT97w

League Two: Luton Town 1 Carlisle United 0

Recalled Hatters striker Mark Cullen bagged his 12th goal of the season to ensure 10-man Luton were deserving 1-0 winners over Carlisle United this afternoon.

The forward, who manager John Still admitted had lost his place recently after being the subject of interest during the transfer window, was back with a bang, making it three goals in two games, after his brace in Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw against York.

When his chance came, Cullen took the pass from Matt Robinson, another who was returning to the side, into his stride and rifled past the static United keeper Dan Hanford.

Hatters then had to hang on for large parts of the second period as defender Luke Wilkinson was shown a straight red just after the hour mark as he was deemed the last man when tripping Antony Sweeney.

Luton, who unveiled Norwich City midfielder Cameron McGeehan on loan until the end of the season at half time, made four changes in total for the game.

Skipper Steve McNulty was suspended as Fraser Franks came in, while Nathan Doyle missed out injured as Hatters reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, with Cullen partnering Jayden Stockley upfront.

In came Robinson for his first league start since he was sent off against Shrewsbury on August 30, while Scott Griffiths came in for Jake Howells, with Wilkinson was fit enough to take his place in the centre of defence.

The hosts almost had a sniff early on as Smith burst away and his cross was cut out, but Carlisle’s delaying tactics were evident from pretty much the first whistle, taking an age over single set-play as they were clearly sent out by boss Keith Curle to spoil proceedings.

Kyle Dempsey’s far post header was gathered by Mark Tyler, with Town struggling to get going, apart from Scott Griffiths’ positive bursts forward from full back, as he fed Stockley, whose curler was deflected behind.

Hatters went close again when from a corner, the ball was chipped back in by Michael Harriman, keeper Dan Hanford came needlessly charging out to fumble, but Cullen’s follow up volley flicked a defender on its way over.

Town finally mounted some momentum as the impressive Nathan Oduwa cut inside and curled straight at Hanford too while Stockley’s fierce drive was charged down.

A marvellous break by the hosts saw the tricky Oduwa almost pick out a home attacker and Cullen’s speculative volley from range was turned behind needlessly by Hanford.

The hosts showed they could mount an attack when they put their minds to it, with Charlie Wyke turning Fraser Franks and skying his effort over under pressure from Wilkinson

Griffiths continued his attacking ways, scampering forward once more, unleashing a fierce drove that hammered into Sean O’Hanlon, while the defender dragged the rebound disappointingly wide as the space opened up.

Town deservedly had the lead on 36 minutes when Robinson picked out Cullen for him to make it 12 for the season.

Dempey tried to level immediately, skewing wide, but once the Kenilworth Road had rose to acclaim new loan signing McGeehan, Cullen had a marvellous chance to make it 2-0, passing across the face of goal rather than go for his second.

The forward then did go alone, forcing Hanford to parry, but Carlisle, obviously, freed from their awful time-wasting tactics, came close as Wyke couldn’t get enough on his effort, which ended up easy for Tyler.

Oduwa’s pace almost set up a second, as his effort was blocked after another pacey counter attack, while Smith almost set up a second, when his cross was cleared off the line by O’Hanlon before Robinson clattered one over the top.

Luton then wasted another glorious opportunity when Cullen sent over a magnificent low cross from the byline and Stockley at full stretch, just couldn’t convert from a matter of yards.

Wilkinson was called on to make an important block on David Amoo as Luton’s failure to net a second almost cost them.

Despite being well on top, Luton were then reduced to 10 men as Tyler didn’t get enough on his clearance, Robinson failed to win back possession and Sweeney raced clear, brought down by Wilkinson who had to go.

That saw Alex Lacey replace Oduwa, as Luton tried to shore up defensively, but they almost had a second in stunning fashion with Drury’s amazing volley from way out cannoning against bar and post, with the rebound turned in by Cullen, who was flagged offside.

Digging to ensure a much-needed three points, Luton brought on Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, who looked short of match sharpness and fitness, with the hosts messing up a late free kick chance.

Carlisle were almost made to pay as sub Amoo blazed over the bar from a long ball pumped forward as did Danny Grainger, but Luton held on to fully justify the three points.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Michael Harriman, Scott Griffiths, Luke Wilkinson, Fraser Franks, Andy Drury, Matt Robinson (Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu 77), Jonathan Smith (C), Nathan Oduwa, Jayden Stockley, Mark Cullen (Jake Howells 83).

Subs not used: Elliot Justham, Alex Lacey, Luke Guttridge, Shaun Whalley.

Cumbrians: Dan Hanford, Danny Grainger (C), Troy Archibald-Henville, Anthony Sweeney, Courtney Meppen-Walter (Brad Potts 60), Steven Rigg (Mark Beck 73), Kyle Dempsey, Sean O’Hanlon, Charlie Wyke, Matt Young, Anthony Griffith (David Amoo 46).

Subs not used: Daniel Kearns, Patrick Bough, Derek Asamoah, Danny Eccles.

Referee: James Linington.

Booked: Sweeney 73, Stockley 81, Archibald-Henville 90. Sent off: Wilkinson 66

Attendance: 8,502 (Carlisle 276).

Hatters MOM: Mark Cullen. Super finish and looked a striker full of confidence.

Hatters boss John Still had no complaints about the decision to send off Luke Wilkinson during yesterday’s 1-0 win over Carlisle, but admitted he was ‘shocked’ Steve McNulty’s red card in midweek wasn’t rescinded.

Wilkinson was dismissed for the second time this season when as the last man, he tripped Antony Sweeney, leaving referee James Linington little alternative.

Still said: “From what I saw, I’ve got no complaints. In fairness to him, we’d started to come up as a unit, they had a couple of people in offside positions and Robbo (Matt Robinson) lost the ball in front of him.

“It put him in that no mans land really.”

That made it two dismissals in successive matches for the Hatters, with influential skipper McNulty missing the first of his four games.

On the decision to uphold the red received against York on Tuesday night, Still continued: “There were two sendings off in that game, but there were worse tackles today, not including the sending off.

“It wasn’t a unanimous decision, it was a majority decision and I’ve got to be honest, I am shocked that it wasn’t rescinded, really shocked.”

Both Alex Lacey and Fraser Franks are now expected to deputise up against Mansfield and AFC Wimbledon, as Still said: “That’s why we’ve got four centre halves. They defended very well and have to do it for the next two games.”

Despite going down to 10 men for the final 25 minutes, Still was proud of his side’s resilience as they kept a clean sheet to close the gap on the top three to a single point.

He added: “They are a big, big side and got it wide, knocked lots of balls in but by and large we dealt with it well.

“Obviously it’s a little bit more difficult when you go down to 10, but the resilience of the team was first class.

“There were a few scrambles, but Tyles (Mark Tyler) hasn’t really had to make a save when you consider that Wilko was off and (Steve) McNulty wasn’t playing, so I was really pleased.”